Nelson Withington Skating Facility opens for season on Oct. 22
BRATTLEBORO - The Brattleboro Recreation & Parks Department says that the Nelson Withington Skating Facility will be opening for the season on Saturday, Oct. 22.
The public skating schedule is as follows: Mondays: 7–9 p.m. (Dollar Night); Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m.–noon (adults only); Fridays: 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (adults only); 7–9 p.m. (public skate); Saturdays: 1:30–4 p.m. (Dollar Skate); 7–9 p.m. (public skate); Sundays: 1–4 p.m. and 7–9 p.m. (public skate).
Public skating daily rates are $3 for Brattleboro resident students, $4 for Brattleboro adults and for non-Brattleboro resident students, and $5 for non-Brattleboro resident adults. Skate rentals are available for $3 per rental. For more information, call the Gibson-Aiken Center office at 802-254-5808.
Senior lunch served
DUMMERSTON - The next senior luncheon at the Evening Star Grange in Dummerston Center is Wednesday, Oct. 26, with both in-house and takeout meals available. Takeout meals will be available for pick-up between 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. The in-house meal will be served at noon.
The menu includes golumpki (stuffed cabbage leaves with meat or without), mashed potatoes, and corn pudding with mixed fruit cobbler for dessert. Reservations may be made at 802-254-1138 by Oct. 25 at 5 p.m., if possible. A donation of $3 ($4 for those under 6o) is requested. All area folk are welcome.
RFPL offers weekly creative writing workshops
BELLOWS FALLS - On consecutive Wednesdays beginning Oct. 26, Frances Barsky will lead creative writing workshops from 1 to 2:30 p.m. at the Rockingham Free Public Library. Poetry, flash/short fiction, and narrative fiction will be emphasized but not to the exclusion of other genres. Even memoirs can be included in the mix. Make sure to bring a laptop or a pad of paper and a favorite pen.
This program is free and open to the public. For more information about the program or Barsky, call 802-463-4270, email programming@rockinghamlibrary.org, or stop by the RFPL at 65 Westminster Street.
Monthly free produce available
PUTNEY - The Vermont Foodbank and the Putney Foodshelf will co-sponsor the next monthly drop of free produce and some nonperishables on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Putney Meadows, 17 Carol Brown Way (the white building across from the Putney Food Co-op and the fire station).
All are welcome. Because of COVID-19, remain in your car at pickup, and volunteers will bring out bags.
Conservation Commission hosts forum on Allen Marsh
WESTMINSTER - The Westminster Conservation Commission works to steward and raise awareness of the many significant natural resources in the town. One much valued site, a marsh on Henwood Hill Road (also known as “Allen Marsh”) has many abutters; neighbors and visitors with a range of interests and needs regarding the land, which is privately owned.
The Conservation Commission will host a forum to share perspectives and ideas concerning ongoing stewardship of the site and says it would “very much like to hear from everyone who has an interest in the marsh whether as land-owner, abutter, or visitor.”
The discussion will be facilitated by Dr. John Ungerleider, director of the Greater Falls Community Justice Center in Bellows Falls, and will be held on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6:30 to 8 p.m., at the Westminster Institute (Butterfield Library) 3534 U.S. Route 5. Refreshments will be available.
For more information, contact the Conservation Commission at westminstervtconservation@gmail.com or call Alma Beals at 802-722-3355.
Next Stage hosts Halloween Dance Party fundraiser
PUTNEY - Join the Next Stage community from 7 to 11 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, for Monster Bash!, a Halloween dance party, costume contest, and their first post-Covid fundraiser, at Next Stage Arts, 15 Kimball Hill.
The event will feature DJ dance music, prize for best costume, photo booth, and a full cash bar featuring Vermont craft brews, wine, and Vermont-distilled spirits from Barr Hill and Mad River.
Tickets are $25 per person, $40 per couple. For more information, visit nextstagearts.org or call 802-387-0102.
Grace Cottage hosts flu shot clinic
TOWNSHEND - Grace Cottage Family Health, 185 Grafton Road, will offer a flu vaccine clinic on Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to noon. Pre-registration is recommended (802-365-4331); walk-ins will be accommodated as space allows.
You do not need to be an established patient at Grace Cottage in order to get a flu shot at this clinic. Masks are required, and anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by a parent/guardian. Most insurance covers this preventive health measure; please bring your ID and insurance card with you. If you are not insured, payment for your flu shot is expected at the time of service.
An annual seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to avoid getting the flu and spreading it to others. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination. The national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone six months of age and older get a yearly flu vaccine. People over age 65 or those with any chronic disease, such as diabetes or asthma, have a higher risk of contracting the flu and are especially urged to get the shot.
Two different flu shots are being offered this year, one for those age six months to 64, and another for those who are 65 and older. For more information about flu shots or the flu in general, visit the Vermont Department of Health website at healthvermont.gov, or call the Vermont helpline at 211.
Death Café returns to Brattleboro
BRATTLEBORO - On Saturday, Nov. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m., Brattleboro Area Hospice and Vermont Insight Meditation Center will co-host a Death Café. The event will take place at Vermont Insight Meditation Center in the Vermont Agricultural Business Education Center at 11 University Way. This event is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
Death Café (deathcafe.com) is an international movement started in Europe dedicated to taking death out of the closet and discussing it publicly. Participants report Death Café experiences as comfortable, with a full range of emotions - from tears to raucous laughter, easier than anticipated, energy-charged, inspirational, and fun.
This is not a support group or counseling session, or even a workshop. It is simply people sharing respectful, thought-provoking, life-affirming conversation in a relaxed, comfortable atmosphere while sipping drinks and munching treats.
No RSVP required, but participants are asked to arrive by 3 p.m. Space is limited. Treats provided, or participants may bring something to share. For more information, contact Denise Glover at 802-257-0775 or email info@brattleborohospice.org.